COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-31/16
Amdt 1
Pitch Trim Switch - Modification 9/77
Applicability: Model PA-31 and PA-31-300 S/Nos. 31-2 to 31-797; PA-31-350 S/Nos. 31-5001 to 31-5004; and PA-31P S/Nos 31P-1 to 31P-109; fitted with Rocker Type switch on pilot’s control wheel.
Document: 1. Piper SB No. 527; or
2. FAA AD 77-09-10.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 28 February 1977.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, incorporates Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft within Australia's jurisdiction. One such AD, AD/PA-31/16 Amendment 1, addresses a critical safety issue concerning the pitch trim switch in certain Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted to mitigate risks associated with the Rocker Type switch installed on the pilot's control wheel, which could potentially fail or malfunction, thereby compromising flight safety. The directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1977, aiming to rectify identified issues by referencing Piper Service Bulletin No. 527 or FAA AD 77-09-10. This legislative action underscores CASA's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation, ensuring that all aircraft meet stringent airworthiness criteria.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the application of AD/PA-31/16 Amendment 1 concerning the modification of the pitch trim switch for certain Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument applies to the specified model aeroplanes, namely the PA-31 and PA-31-300 with serial numbers within the ranges of 31-2 to 31-797 and 31-5001 to 31-5004 respectively, the PA-31-350 with serial numbers 31-5001 to 31-5004, and the PA-31P with serial numbers 31P-1 to 31P-109, provided they are equipped with a Rocker Type switch on the pilot’s control wheel. The directive is intended to ensure compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 28 February 1977. The directive references Piper Service Bulletin No. 527 and Federal Aviation Administration AD 77-09-10 as the documents detailing the required modifications. This regulation extends its reach across the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby applying uniformly to all relevant aircraft within the country’s jurisdiction. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the scope of this particular directive, which mandates that the specified modifications be undertaken to maintain airworthiness standards. The application of this directive may be further defined or extended through subordinate instruments issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of various aircraft, including the Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes. Section AD/PA-31/16 Amendment 1 focuses on the pitch trim switch modifications for certain models of Piper PA-31 aeroplanes, specifically those with Rockwell type switches on the pilot’s control wheel. These models include the PA-31 and PA-31-300 with serial numbers ranging from 31-2 to 31-797, PA-31-350 with serial numbers 31-5001 to 31-5004, and PA-31P with serial numbers 31P-1 to 31P-109.
The compliance requirement, as stipulated in the regulation, mandates that these modifications be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1977. The directive references two documents for compliance verification: Piper Service Bulletin No. 527 and FAA Airworthiness Directive 77-09-10. These documents outline the specific modifications and procedures that must be followed to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft in question.
The obligations imposed by this regulation are primarily on the aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. Operators must ensure that the required modifications to the pitch trim switch are completed within the specified timeframe. Maintenance personnel must perform the modifications as per the instructions provided in the referenced documents. Both parties must ensure that the aircraft is compliant with the airworthiness directive to avoid any safety hazards.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations impose civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness standards. For civil aviation offences, penalties can include fines and imprisonment. The maximum penalties can vary depending on the severity of the offence but are significant enough to enforce compliance with safety directives. Non-compliance not only risks legal penalties but also poses significant safety risks, potentially leading to accidents or incidents in flight.